FILE – Lyceum Pirates during a huddle in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup. –FILOIL PHOTO
MANILA, Philippines–Lyceum got a test of composure against University of Santo Tomas but head coach Gilbert Malabanan was satisfied with how the Pirates recovered in their 83-73 win Wednesday in the Filoil EcoOil Preseason Cup.
The Pirates used a pivotal third quarter to erase a forgettable first half where the Tigers led by 42-34 and finished strong to improve to solo first in the pre-season tournament with a 3-0 record.
“Our number one [focus] was really composure, when the opponent was leading, I had to remind them not to rattle and not to be pressured,” Malabanan after their game at Filoil EcoOil Arena in San Juan.
That reminder worked wonders for Lyceum, which unloaded an 8-0 run to start the third quarter to bring the game to a deadlock, 42-all.
UST holdover Ian Herrera launched a triple to bring the Tigers up, 45-42, but quickly registered his disqualifying foul.
The Pirates took advantage of Herrera’s exit with a 9-5 run and snatched their first lead of the game, 51-50, before fending off comeback attempts from the Tigers.
UST trimmed the lead to 79-71 in the last two minutes but Lyceum’s John Barba sank a breakaway layup to keep the Tigers at bay.
Lyceum outscored UST in the second half, 49-31.
Vincent Greg Cunanan of Lyceum scored a game-high 17 markers. Barba and Shawn Umali scored 16 a piece for the Pirates.
Herrera had team-best 12 points for UST, which dropped to 1-1, in a losing effort.